Solar Pathfinder: A Tool for Accurate Solar Site Analysis, Schemes and Mind Maps of Engineering

Download Solar Pathfinder: A Tool for Accurate Solar Site Analysis and more Schemes and Mind Maps Engineering in PDF only on Docsity!

How the Pathfinder Works

The Sunpath Diagram Make Magnetic Declination Adjustment Base Section Instrument Section Dome Section Example

How the Pathfinder Works

Any scientific analysis is only as accurate as the least accurate input. Gross errors in structure orientation, solar system sizing, collector placement, component specification, and scientific studies can result when designers/engineers fail to accurately assess shading patterns at pro- posed building/ecological sites.

By combining the site-specific shading data of the Solar Pathfinder™ with the published global weather data, an accurate solar site analysis can be made. This insolation data, on an hourly and monthly basis can then be applied to architectural, engineering, solar, and ecological applica- tions. All of this data is integrated in the Solar Pathfinder Assistant software, sold separately.

The Solar Pathfinder™ is non-electronic. Simple and straight-forward in its engineering, it requires no special skills or technical know-how. One simple tracing does the job and be- comes the permanent record for the solar data. When properly cared for, the unit will give the user years of accurate site analysis.

The Solar Pathfinder™ uses a highly polished, transparent, convex plastic dome to give a panoramic view of the entire site. All the trees, buildings or other obstacles to the sun are plainly visible as reflections on the surface of the dome. The sunpath diagram can be seen through the transparent dome at the same time.

Because the Solar Pathfinder™ works on a reflective principle rather than actually showing shadows, it can be used anytime of the day, any- time of the year, in either cloudy or clear weather. The actual position of the sun at the time of the solar site analysis is irrelevant. In fact, the unit is easier to use in the absence of direct sunlight. It could even be used on a moonlit night.

Instrument Section

Set instrument section on base sec- tion.

Adjust bubble level so that bubble is in center of black circle (instrument section can rock/adjust on base section to do this).

Adjust unit so red arm of compass points north (for northern hemi- sphere).

Base Section

Place base section where you want to make your site analysis, making it relatively level (the instrument sec- tion will “fine-tune” the leveling). If you are installing PV or thermal col- lectors, the unit needs to be approxi- mately the same height and place- ment the panels/collectors will be.

NOTE: The telescoping legs of the tripod can be adjusted for leveling. Alternately, a bean bag can be used to help in leveling and to secure the unit from sliding off a pitched roof.

If using optional tripod, insert a ball- tip from a tripod leg into each of the grommets on the base section.

Dome Section

Place dome section on instrument sec- tion. The Solar Pathfinder™ is designed to be viewed from between 12-18 inches above the dome (if taking a digital photo, the camera should be between 12 -18 inches above the dome) and directly above the vertical centerline on the sun- path diagram. Site readings are best taken on cloudy or overcast days to avoid glare from the sun. On a sunny day, block the sun’s image with your free hand. CAUTION: DO NOT STARE AT THE REFLECTED IMAGE OF THE SUN ON THE PATHFINDER™ DOME.

When viewing the Pathfinder, you are looking for two things at the same time. First a reflec- tive, panoramic view of the site will be seen on the dome. Simultaneously, the sunpath diagram will be seen through the dome. Where the reflected objects on the dome intersect the sunpaths shown through the dome, the site will be shaded at the time indicated on the diagram.

Example: The sun will not shine on this site until approxi- mately 9:30am during the month of December. It will be shaded again in the afternoon from about 2:15pm to 3:45pm.

In February, the sun will shine on the site from 9:15am throughout the rest of the day.

The manual gives detailed instructions on how to manually calculate the ra- diation information, how- ever, we highly recommend using our Assistant soft- ware (sold separately) for fast, accurate, professional- looking reports.